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The Tom&Sawyer Journal
Expert nutrition advice, health tips, and real stories from the people who make your pet's food.
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Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes? The Powerful Superfood Your Dog Might Already Love
Sweet potatoes show up in a lot of high-quality pet nutrition for good reason. Can dogs eat sweet potatoes? Yes, and we'd go further than that. Sweet potatoes are one of the most nutrient-dense, digestible, and well-tolerated whole-food ingredients you can put in a dog's bowl.
National Kitten Day: What Early Cat Meals Can Teach Us About Building Better Feeding Habits
National Kitten Day on July 10 is one of those moments that invites a bigger conversation. It's not only about celebrating how small and determined kittens are. It's about what we choose to feed them from the very start, and what those early choices set in motion.
What We See in Summer Bowls: How Hydration Changes the Way Dogs and Cats Eat in July
July is National Pet Hydration Awareness Month, and if you pay close attention to your pet's bowl during the warmer months, something shifts. Dogs get slower about finishing their meals. Cats grow even more selective than usual. These changes aren't random. They reflect how summer heat affects appetite and fluid balance in ways that go well beyond simply needing more water.
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7 min readCan Cats Eat Salmon? A Vet-Backed Guide to This Powerful Protein for Cats
Yes, cats can eat salmon when it is fully cooked, plain, boneless, and served in appropriate amounts. Salmon should not replace a complete and balanced cat meal unless the diet has been specifically formulated for that purpose.
6 min readWhat Is the Best Food for Rescue Pets: A Simple Nutrition Guide for Adopted Dogs and Cats
The best food for rescue pets is one built on high-quality animal protein, whole food ingredients, and minimal processing. Whether you just adopted a dog or welcomed a new kitty home, what you feed them in those first weeks and months matters more than most people realize.
8 min readThe Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Dog's Food Can Support a Calmer, Healthier Mind
Your dog's gut and brain are in constant, two-way communication through a system called the gut–brain axis, and the food your dog eats is one of the most direct ways to influence it. The gut microbiome produces key neurotransmitters, including serotonin, GABA, and dopamine, that regulate mood, stress response, and behavior. When that microbiome is balanced and well-supported by diet, dogs tend to show calmer, more resilient behavior. When it is disrupted, anxiety, reactivity, and digestive upset can follow.
9 min readBest Cat Food for Dry Skin and Dandruff
If your cat has been scratching more than usual, leaving little white flakes on their favorite blanket, or their coat has lost its usual shine, their food may be playing a bigger role than you think.
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6 min readWhat Is the Best Food to Treat Your Dog on National Dog Mom Day? Nutritious Meals Dogs Love
National Dog Mom Day falls on the second Saturday of May each year, and if you're a dog mom, you already know the feeling. It's not just having a dog. It's the early morning walks, the couch cuddles, the way they look at you like you're the whole world. Dog moms show up for their pups every single day, and this day is a celebration of exactly that bond.
7 min readWhat Is the Healthiest Food for Dogs and Cats? A National Pet Month Guide for Pet Owners
National Pet Month is celebrated every May, and there is no better way to show your dog or cat how much they mean to you than by looking at what goes in their bowl. Not a gift. Not a toy. Food. The kind that nourishes their body, supports their energy, and helps them thrive day after day.
7 min readDoes Fresh Cat Food Help With Hairballs and Vomiting?
If you're a cat lover, you know the sound. The unmistakable pre-hairball warning that sends you scrambling at 3am, or the cold surprise underfoot first thing in the morning. Hairballs are so common among cats that most pet parents consider them just part of life.
8 min readCelebrating National Cat Lady Day: What Our Nutrition Experts Feed Their Cats
It's National Cat Lady Day, and we're leaning all the way in. Because if anyone's going to celebrate our feline fur-iends with the passion they deserve, it's the two people on the Tom&Sawyer® team who spend their days thinking about how to keep cats healthier, longer.
6 min readWhat Should You Feed Your Pet on National Pet Day? Fresh Meal Ideas for Dogs and Cats
April 11 is National Pet Day, and if you share your home with a pup, a kitty, or both, this one's for you.
6 min readWhat Is the Best Food to Treat Your Dog on National Hug Your Dog Day? Healthy Meal Ideas Dogs Love
Every April 10, dog parents everywhere celebrate National Hug Your Dog Day: a reminder to slow down, squeeze your pup a little tighter, and appreciate the joy they bring to your life every single day. But here's something worth thinking about: one of the most meaningful ways to show your canine companion love isn't just a hug. It's what you put in their bowl.
7 min readCommon Health Issues for Yorkshire Terriers: How the Right Diet Can Help
Yorkshire Terriers commonly face health challenges including sensitive stomachs, food allergies (especially to chicken), skin irritations, and picky eating habits that can often be managed through targeted nutrition. Tom&Sawyer's gently-cooked meals offer specific solutions for these issues, from novel protein options for allergies to specially formulated recipes for digestive sensitivities.
7 min readGolden Retriever Health: Understanding and Managing Common Issues Through Nutrition
Golden Retrievers commonly face health challenges including sensitive stomachs, food allergies causing itchy skin and ear infections, and picky eating that often signal underlying medical issues. Tom&Sawyer's specialized gently-cooked meals, featuring novel proteins like kangaroo and low-fat options, provide targeted nutritional solutions to help manage these conditions and keep your Golden Retriever healthy and happy.
gently cooked dog food7 min readFeeding Your Puppy Right: A National Puppy Day Nutrition Guide for Happy Dogs
Our nutrition guide is designed to help you celebrate their development from the inside out. Good nutrition builds the foundation. We map out the essential nutrient breakdowns and structure age-appropriate feeding schedules. And if you want to safely transition your new pup to a fresh food diet, we will guide you through that exact process.
7 min readWhat Your Cat's Annual Vet Exam Reveals About Their Health (And How Premium Nutrition Makes All the Difference)
Cats instinctively hide illness as a survival mechanism, making regular veterinary exams crucial for detecting hidden health issues before they become serious and expensive to treat. Combining professional veterinary care with Tom&Sawyer's gently-cooked meals provides a comprehensive approach to preventing common feline health problems including obesity, urinary issues, and poor coat condition.
10 min readCan Cats Eat Carbs? The Truth About Feline Nutrition
If you've spent any time browsing pet nutrition forums or social media, you've likely encountered the claim that cats shouldn't eat carbs. As a fresh pet food company committed to science-based nutrition, Tom&Sawyer® knows this topic deserves a clear, evidence-based explanation.
8 min readCommon Health Issues in French Bulldogs and How Diet Can Help Support Them
French Bulldogs are one of the most lovable breeds around, but these pups come with a set of health concerns that every Frenchie parent should know about. The most common French bulldog health issues include sensitive stomachs, picky eating, itchy skin, chicken allergies, ear infections, and environmental allergies. Understanding what your Frenchie is dealing with and why it happens is the first step toward helping them feel their best.